Newspaper Prophets
Modern American culture has been shaped by warnings of a coming apocalypse. The popularity of and curiosity for the “end of days” can be seen in both secular and religious best seller lists as apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic novels continue to fuel the collective conscience with visions of destruction. Harry Maier observes that for many Americans, the reality of “human suffering and tragedy take place against a larger backdrop of a cosmic war between God and Satan, whose conflict is encoded in the headlines of today’s and tomorrow’s newspaper. . . .”[1]
A recent example, which stirred the imaginations of an end times minded audience, took place in 2017. On September 23, 2017, Jupiter passed through the constellation Virgo. At the same time, other celestial bodies seemed to create a particular image in the heavens. To some, this fit their understanding of a prophecy in Revelation 12. Leading up to this event, one headline read, “Saturday, September 23 is the day that heralds the start of the end days, according to fundamentalist Christians.”[2] Articles like the one quoted here were spread across the Internet; YouTube™ videos explained exactly why September 23, 2017, would be the day of Christ’s return. This is an example of a newspaper prophet.
The purpose of this paper is neither to call into question the inerrancy of Scripture nor to defend the presupposition that the Bible is the Word of God. As a Christian, one should believe the Bible is true, including apocalyptic and prophetic sections, but when it is misunderstood, taken out of context, or sensationalized, the consequences can be devastating, and the full impact may never be known. This work will focus on three issues that call into question the reliability of the Old and New Testament: teaching a specific understanding of allegorical figures, identifying the mark of the beast, and setting the date of Christ’s return.
Trust Me, I Wrote a Book
The Bible is full of allegorical figures, from psalms and proverbs to Jesus’ teachings, but nowhere in Scripture is there more allegory than in the eschatological sections. From the time these were written, men have attempted to identify these shadowy figures with people or events in their day. Craig Blomberg and Sung Chung introduce A Case for Historic Premillennialism with this obvious but profound statement, “100 percent of all the attempts to correlate biblical prophecy with current events have been wrong! This in itself should inspire enough humility in Christians that we stop assuming that if we just tweak one or two details, the next published scenario will get it right.”[3] Their observation is specifically in regards to the Anti-Christ, but the Anti-Christ is not the only figure that the Bible warns about in less than clear language. This ambiguity, however, has not caused preachers or teachers to pause before declaring who or what these figures are, but conversely seems to inspire conjecture that, more often than not, is presented as fact rather than opinion.
These opinions are often disseminated in the form of “end time” literature such as John Hagee’s Day of Deception: Separating Truth from Falsehood in These Last Days.[4] Even worse, much of conservative evangelical eschatology, at least in the U.S., is based on works of pure fiction such as the Left Behind series.[5] In both the non-fiction and fiction works alike, the authors capitalize on current events that can be stretched to fit a vague description of the prophesied last days. However, the most dangerous form of published newspaper prophecy is when a book, sensational in nature and speculative in content, is promoted as a legitimate biblical commentary.
For most people, if a book is published, then it is assumed to have some legitimacy; if the book is a biblical commentary, the audience presupposes that the author is qualified to teach on the subject. This presumed authority is dangerous when the author presents his opinions as fact with no more qualifications than “Trust me; I wrote a book.” An example of this can be seen in Noah Hutchings’s Daniel the Prophet. [6] In this work, Hutchings proceeds verse by verse through the Book of Daniel and gives his interpretation of the characters and events described. In chapter 7, which corresponds with chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel, Hutchings’s Biblical acrobatics are on display when he teaches about the four beasts found in Daniel 7:4-8. Daniel is describing four beasts that he has seen in a vision. The second beast is described as “resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat’” (Dan. 7:5).[7] From this one verse, we find the following eisegesis:
What emblem, besides the hammer and sickle, is Russia known by? By the sign of the bear, of course. One can go anywhere in the world and find that Russia is always identified in the press by the cartoon drawing of a giant lumbering bear. . . . Nevertheless, it is evident from Ezekiel 38-39 that the bear is only hibernating and will yet come lumbering down from the north to invade Israel. The result of Russia’s invasion of Israel is clearly prophesied in Ezekiel.[8]
At this point, Hutchings quotes Ezekiel 38:21-22 and 39:4, thereby, linking Daniel’s prophecy of the second beast with Ezekiel’s prophecy of Gog and Magog with no evidence other than cartoon bears and his own presupposition that Russia is Gog.
This type of speculation could be dismissed as sensationalistic “red meat” for the religious conspiracy theorist if it were not for the fact that these same interpretations were being discussed at the White House. Lydia Lee, in her study of Gog in Ezekiel 38-39, discovered that “Ronald Reagan . . . is reported to have unambiguously cited Ezekiel’s prophecy to justify his identification of Gog as Russia.”[9] Harry Maier supports Lydia’s claim that Reagan believed the Soviet Union to be a player in the last days. He reports that Reagan “publicly related the buildup of nuclear weapons by his administration as part of a historical design leading to Armageddon.”[10] How might the Cold War, and, as a result, our world today, have been different if Reagan had not considered the Soviet Union to be Ezekiel’s Gog?
The pages of history are still being written, and it may be that Russia or some future form of it may fulfill the Gog/Magog prophecy, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fear of the “bear” dwindled. Then came George W. Bush who would liken Iraq to the notorious Gog when rallying political support for the U.S. to combat the next evil enemy.[11] Whether for political reasons, book sales, or genuine belief, these newspaper prophets undermine the authority of Scripture when they draw in a susceptible audience and in the end are proven to be in error.
The Devil’s Mark
Speculation regarding the mark of the beast could easily fit into the above category, but this problematic little mark is in a league of its own. It stars in movies, books, and sermons. From birthmarks to microchips, this “devil’s mark” could be almost anything. As time progresses, the faithful have continued to see the potential fulfillment of this prophecy in everything; this is exemplified by one YouTube™ preacher who supposes that the mark could be the Pope’s tiara, ISIS’s headscarf, commercial bar codes, grocery store IR scanners, or corporate implantable microchips.[12]
John records the vision wherein he was shown this mark in Revelation 13. He foretells that all men will be “given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he [the beast that is a false prophet] provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Rev. 13:16-17). John elaborates that this number is the number “of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six” (Rev. 13:18). The description of a mark itself has caused theories concerning “tattooing and brandings.”[13] The mark’s ability to prohibit buying or selling implies a connection to the financial industry. This leads some to suspect checking accounts, credit cards, online banking, and mobile pay options. But what about the number 666? What is this number of a man?
Terry Alexander, in Characters of Revelation, shares his understanding of this cryptic description. He believes that “it is for sure that every person on the planet will have a separate identity for tracking purposes, just as we now have separate Social Security numbers. . . .”[14] Alexander wonders “would it be possible to use a system to number mankind in this manner?”[15] He guesses that instead of current three-two-four (xxx-xx-xxxx) Social Security number, a global number would require a six-six-six format (xxxxxx-xxxxxx-xxxxxx).[16]
Not all theories are as simple and straightforward as Alexander’s seems to be. Some opinions find historical support to conclude that John was writing about a current issue facing the early church, while others require Biblical flexibility that would make Gumby sweat. Deborah Taylor defends the preterist view by examining the support for the mark being both the taxes and census requirements of the Roman Empire. Tayler ties her theory together by identifying the “number of a man.” She declares “the sum of the numeric value of the Hebrew letters spelling ‘Nero Caesar’ is 666. Thus, Rev[.] 13:16-18 can be coherently interpreted as referring to a specific kind of historical reality. . . .”[17] In an alternative view of the mark, a Seventh-Day Adventist publication declared that “Sunday worship is the ‘mark of the beast!’”[18] It takes forty-seven pages of Scripture stretching before one is prepared for this claim.
Books could be, and probably have been, written outlining the outlandish to the plausible theories that surround this dastardly number. What needs to be clarified by all parties is that every opinion that is put forth is just that: an opinion. One cannot state with certainty that Nero was the Anti-Christ and that there is not another waiting to step onto the world stage at some future time. It also cannot be claimed that all of mankind will be given a global identification number that will consist of three sets of six numbers. Technology will continue to advance and may have already produced the format that could be used to this end, but for now, it is just an opinion. When opinions are taught as fact, the teacher puts his reputation on the line. When these newspaper prophets warn that each new technology is the mark of the beast and proves Jesus’ soon return, there is more at stake than just that person’s reputation. The integrity of Scripture is on the line.
Setting a Date for Scorn
The most egregious sin to be reviewed in this work is that of date setting (declaring a day or period of time when Christ will return). This is where the newspaper prophets shine. It is also where they burn out, taking those who trusted them down with them. On October 23, 1844, “the passing of midnight brought weeping and oral and written expressions of disappointment. It was necessary for some to pool their funds to survive until economic life could be organized anew. A withering ridicule set in upon them.”[19] This ridicule was due to William Miller. Miller had determined that Jesus would return earlier in the year, and when the first date passed, the timing was recalculated. He was then confident of Christ’s return on the new date of October 22, 1844, and so were his followers. So, they gathered in their congregations and awaited the return of their Savior.
What did Jesus say concerning the timing of His return? When the disciples asked, Jesus told them “but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matt. 24:36). One way to be sure a Bible teacher is in error is if he starts setting a date for Christ’s return. According to Jesus himself, no one knows, and, to date, 100 percent of all who have tried have proven Jesus true. Example on top of example could be given for this credibility destroying mistake. From the early church to today, believers have seen social and political changes, plagues and natural disasters, and wars and famines. Believers have calculated the numbers given in numerus apocryphal writings, and they determined that they were living in the last days. Looking for the return of Christ is nothing to be ashamed of; in fact, the Bible teaches to do just that (Titus 2:13). The mistake comes when one teaches as a fact something that is only an opinion. The consequences are compounded when the belief goes beyond just what might be meant by an obscure character or number into determining what one will do tomorrow. Not much brings as much disgrace and ridicule upon the Bible and the Church as when a new day dawns after a newspaper prophecy declared that day would never come.
Conclusion
Paul told Timothy “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). As a Christian, one should seek knowledge, wisdom, and understanding from the Word of God. The great commission sends believers out to spread the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). However, when preaching and teaching, one should use discernment. When the Bible is silent, one should also be silent and when the Bible is explicit that certain information is unknown, one should not be so arrogant as to believe that he alone has understanding. In the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments, there are teachings that are clear and easy to understand, and, likewise, there are teachings that are vague and complicated. Prophecy falls into the latter. That is what makes it interesting and fun to study, the unknown and the mystery that it creates. The secular world will continue to distort and sensationalize the “end of days” to further its own agenda or just to profit from the obsession over it. It is the job of the Christian to separate truth from fiction. When a subject is unclear or even unknown, it is better to admit this than to become a false teacher. The consequences of becoming the next newspaper prophet may have lasting impacts beyond one’s imagination, but at a minimum, it will destroy one’s credibility and ministry.
[1] Harry O Maier, “The President’s Revelation: The Apocalypse, American Providence, and the War on Terror,” Word & World 25, no. 3 (Sum 2005): 298.
[2] Jon Austin, “Why so many prophecies predict THIS will be the day the world ends,” Express, September 20, 2017, accessed March 29, 2019, https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/856530/End-of-the-world-September-23-2017-Nibiru-Planet-X.
[3] Craig L. Blomberg and Sung W. Chung, eds., A Case for Historic Premillennialism: An Alternative to “Left Behind” Eschatology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), xi-xii.
[4] John Hagee, Day of Deception: Separating Truth from Falsehood in These Last Days (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
[5] Blomberg and Chung, A Case for Historic Premillennialism, 63.
[6] Noah W. Hutchings, Daniel the Prophet: a comprehensive examination of the prophecies concerning the historical and future gentile world empire, 2nd ed. (Oklahoma City: Bible Belt Publishing, 2011).
[7] All Bible references are taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted.
[8] Hutchings, Daniel the Prophet, 155-156.
[9] Lydia Lee, “The enemies within: Gog of Mago in Ezekiel 38-39,” HTS Teologiese Studies 73, no. 3 (2017): 1.
[10] Maier, “The President’s Revelation,” 295.
[11] Lee, “The enemies within,” 1.
[12] Robert Breaker, “The Mark of the Beast,” September 8, 2018, accessed April 8, 2019, YouTube, 56:44, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4su0rYu1h8&t=2304s.
[13] Deborah F. Taylor, “The Monetary Crisis in Revelation 13:17 and the Provenance of the Book of Revelation,” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 71, no. 3 (July 2009): 595.
[14] Terry G. Alexander, Characters of Revelation: A program for the Apocalypse (Oklahoma City: Hearthstone Publishing, 2001), 112-113.
[15] Ibid., 113.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Taylor, “The Monetary Crisis,” 595.
[18] A. J. Marcussen, National Sunday Law (1983; repr., Thompsonville, IL: Amazing Truth Publications, 2001), 47.
[19] Merrill E. Gaddis, “The Midnight Cry: A Defense of the Character and Conduct of William Miller and the Millerites, Who Mistakenly Believed That the Second Coming of Christ Would Take Place in the Year 1844,” Church History 14, no. 3 (September 1945): 225.